CHAR-
SAUSH KOOTENAI AND PEND'd ORIELLES TRIBES
CHARLO
KOOSTAHTAH
KOOSTA
SMIMII (Salish: News)
Volume 3 Number I New Moon of Blooming Bitterroot (May lr 1973)
Price 15 cents
Kootenai Coalition: Aiming For A Showdown On Rights
Elmo (Char-Koosta).. The n ewly formed Kootenai Coalition is aimed at bringing a pair of Kootenai rights proposals to a boil.
The coalition was formed during a meeting in Elmo April 18 to implement the alternative proposals offered to the tribe at the second quarterly meeting by Elmo Councilman Pat Lefthand. The first proposal calls for a number of revisions in the Tribal administration and constitution...including striking all members with less than one-quarter degree tribal blood from the rolls and giving Kootenais
equal representation on the tribal council...geared to correct what they feel are inequities in the current political and economic system. The second plan is designed to achieve the same end by complete succession from the tribal confederation by equally deviding tribal lands and resources.
The two plans and the Kootenais grievances will be aired at a special Tribal Council-public meeting to be held in Elmo May 12. The date of this meeting was incorrectly given as May 5 in the last issue of Char-Koosta The Kootenai Coalition is preparing a plan based on the reform proposal t be presented at the special meeting but work on the succession proposal is already underway because many here feel the meeting will be boycotted by many Council members.
The Kootenai Coalition was established to bring about the reforms the Kootenais are seeking through financial and legal assistance. The initial draft of the two proposals came out of a meeting of the Elmo Drum and Feathers Club last month. The Drum and Feathers Club was formed to foster Kootenai traditions and culture.
Officers for the Coalition are: Chairman, Joe Mathias Vice-Chairman, Margerette Friedlander..Secretary, Nancy Joseph and Treasurer, Madaline Couture.
The Kootenai tribal reform proposal consists of four basic demands: —Equal representation on the Tribal Council..Five Flatheads (Salish and Pend 'd Orielles) and five Kootenais.
—Eliminating from the tribal rolls all members with less than one-quarter Kootenai or Flathead blood. Many here feel the ante should be raised to one-half blood quantum.
—Measuring the blood of non-member Indian parents on the quantum of children. This measure.
the Kootenais feel, would help preserve Indian identity.
—Per Capita distribution of monies based on blood quantum. Those with more tribal blood would receive perportionately greater shares.
If these reform demands are not met, the Kootenais Coalition says it will take its alternative proposal for succession and devision of the reservation to the courts and congress. The Kootenais say they will demand:
—An equal split of all reservation resources and assets.
—A division of the reservation with the Kootenais taking the northern half.
—An even split of all accounts and cash reserves.
Storm Gathering Over 90 Percent Distribution Plan
Dixon (Char-Koosta)...The Tribal Council will decide whether or not to call an election on a petition to distribute 90 percent of tribal revenue this weekend (Saturday 28) but already electioneering on the controversal issue has reached a high pitch.
An anonymously authored fly-sheet opposing the plan has been widely distributed around the reservation during the past two weeks. Two articles...by Tribal Economic Advisor Ron Trosper and Tribal Councilman Tom Pablo, Hot Springs...have appeared in Char-Koosta critisizing the plan and a third article, by
Lillis Waylett, appears in this issue (see page 5). The paper is open to signed articles oh expressing either view point on this issue.
The plan and petition, both authored by Councilman Fred Whitworth, Arlee and Bud Moran, Arlee, have gathered 559 signatures of which 511 have been authenticated. The petition calls for resolution election on a ten percent tribal operating budget and the distribution of the remaining 90 percent of tribal revenues. The council has already resolved to run the Tribal admin-
istration on 10 percent and payout between 50 and 90 percent of revenues.
The fly-sheet calls the 90 percent distribution idea "a dead-end termination plan"
and attacks both the plan and Councilman Whitworth. The sheet claims the plan would:
...actually increase admin-(cont. on page 3)
Kyi-Yo Starts Wednesday
Missoula:Kyi-Yo Indian Days at the University of Montana will begin May 3 under the theme, "Cultural Integrity."
Among the guest speakers and panelists participating in the three day event this year will be DeDartment of Interior NavajoChairman Peter McDonald; Thomas Banyaca, a Hopi
(cont. on page 3)